California to allow more canine blood banks and walk-in donors

California passed a law on Saturday to phase out one of the nation’s large canine blood banks and the practice of keeping dogs in facilities while their blood is drawn.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law allowing veterinarians to run community blood banks where residents can take their pets to donate blood and who can sell and transfer blood supplies to clinics in need. The law also creates a plan to phase out closed colony banks where dogs are kept in facilities while their blood is drawn repeatedly.

The change comes as canine blood supplies are in demand in California for dogs who become ill or need emergency surgery. While community banks are common in other states, until now they weren’t allowed in California, which only allowed operations from closed colonies or allowed vets to draw blood from pets. in their own clinics.

Animal rights activists have long opposed the use of closed settlement banks, saying they want dogs to live in homes with caring families and not locked in facilities. They pushed for change several years ago. The legislature passed a bill to introduce a community canine blood bank, but Newsom vetoed it, saying it did not go far enough to phase out the practice of keeping donor dogs in facilities.

The new law, known as AB1282, demands that the state phase out closed colony banks 18 months after authorities determine that community banks sell at least as much dog blood as closed banks sold in a year.

“Whether you’re talking about a greyhound that has run on tracks in the South, or a dog that has been homeless on the streets, you want these animals to live in a house with a loving family,” Daniel said. Paden, vice president of the animal rights group PETA. “If they are in good physical and behavioral health and are willing to go to the vet to donate, then this is a tremendous service to provide to other dogs. “

Three years ago, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals filed a complaint with the state alleging that 200 greyhounds held in a closed colony blood bank in Orange County were being abused. The nonprofit bank, known as Hemopet, said the dogs were rescued from the racing industry and well cared for while they were on a blood donation program for 10 months before be placed in controlled adoptive homes.

A message left for Hemopet was not returned. On its website, the group claims that closed colony banks can ensure a stable and clean blood supply to dogs and that its donors are not carriers of infectious diseases. The site also said that Hemopet takes good care of his dogs and works with greyhounds, as they are considered universal blood donors who can donate to all dogs, regardless of their blood type.

Hemopet is one of two licensed commercial blood banks in California. A message left at Animal Blood Resources International was not returned.

Animal rights groups and veterinary experts have said community canine blood banks can be done safely thanks to modern veterinary science. The California Veterinary Medical Association, which has nearly 8,000 members, approved the bill after a process was put in place to ease the transition to the new system while ensuring an adequate blood supply, said Dr. Grant Miller, the association’s director of regulatory affairs.

Already, the demand for the blood supply is high and increasing every year as residents seek more treatment options for their pets, he said.

“The role of animals in society has changed over the past decades, and they really are family,” he said, adding that residents “want to do whatever they can to help their families. pets”.

Judie Mancuso, founder of Social Compassion in Legislation, said animal rights groups have long wanted to phase out closed banks, but recognized the need for a transition period. Under the new law, state officials will assess when community banks have generated enough blood to do so, she said.

“We don’t know how many vets or businesses are going to open. There is just no crystal ball, ”she said. “We don’t know, but at least we’re changing the law to open the door.”

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Taxin reported in Orange County, California.